The first tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente

The .xii. Chapter.

[ The texte.] As there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people (in so muche that they trode one an other,) he began to say vnto his disciples: first of all beware of the leauen of the Phari∣seis, whiche is hypocrisy. For there is nothyng couered, that shal not be vncouered: neither hid, that shall not be knowen. For what thynges ye haue spoken in derkenes, shall be hearde in the light. And that whiche ye haue spoken in the eare, euen in secrete places, shalbe preached on the top of the houses. I say vnto you my frendes: Be not afrayed of them that kyll the bodye, and after that, haue no more that they can do. But I wyll shewe you, whom you shall feare. Feare him whiche after he hath kylled, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say vnto you: feare hym. Are not fiue sparowes bought for two farthinges? And not one of them is forgotten of god. Al∣so euen the very heares of your head are all noumbred. Feare not therfore: ye are more of value than many sparowes.

ANd because the Lorde Iesus knewe the malice of the Phary∣seis, the Scribes, and the lawiers to be vncurable: it was his pleasure openly to notifie and publishe theyr hypocrisye, to the ende no creature mighte vnawares be deceiued by their cloked counterfaytyng: and so many coumpanyes of people euen than standyng round about in so thicke presse, that they trode one v∣pon an others heles, he began to say vnto his disciples.

Beware ye of the leauē of the phariseis which is hypocrisie. Endeuour your selfes earnestly to be suche, as ye would be taken for. Nothyng that is clo∣ked shall frō hensfoorth be hable long to be hidden. There shall a tyme come whiche shall vttre and make manifeste vnto the worlde aswell your innocen∣cie, as also their malice: Neither is there any thing now at this presēt so close vnder couerte, whiche shall not shortly bee vncouered, ne any thing so secrete∣ly hidden, the whiche shall not cum to the open knowlage of men. Wherefore beware ye that all your life be void of all cloking or counterfayte glose, and that ye neither speake ne do, no nor yet thinke any thyng alone by youreselfes, which ye would not by your good willes haue to be knowē of al creatures, for whatsoeuer ye shall now speake priuelye in the derke, shal one day in time to cum bee reported agayne in the clere light: and whatsoeuer ye shall nowe saie to folkes in their eares within your bedchaumbers, shall one day bee o∣penly talked in the house toppes. The trueth shall offende the wycked sorte beeyng peinted with a counterfait semblaunce of godlynes: But leat not the feare of any euil person lede you away from the sincere preaching of y^e trueth of the gospel. The vttermost extremitie of all the mischiefe that they can doe

to you, is but to kylle, yea and the bodie onelye can they kille. But thus muche doe I say vnto you my frendes, forasmuche as ye maye boldely truste on my sure defence, leatte not the crueltie of these felowes anye thyng at all feare you, who though they attempte all that euer may bee dooen, may sleagh the poore carkesse, and that doen, they haue nothing besides to dooe any ferther harme vnto. But he dyeth not that is slayne for my cause. That if your fantasie be to take feare for to bee one of counsayle in thys case, it is good reason, that the lesser feare geue place to the greatter, and that he rather bee had in feare, who hath power with a becke to destroye the whole man altogether. And if ye wil nedes haue it shewed vnto you who is he, euen God it is, who onelye hathe power whan he hath kylled the bodye, to caste the soule into hell too. Leat not the cruelnesse of wieked persones make you anye thyng afrayde, who can dooe you no more but lyghte harme, nay can not dooe you any harme at al, no and not that neyther, but by the sufferaunce of God. That yf ye shall vpon the dreding of man, growe cleane out of kynde from the sinceritie of preaching the ghospell: while ye laboure to eschue lyghte and transytory mysaduentures, ye shall fall into harmes for euer to endure. Leat therefore one nayle dryue out an other nayle: and leat the feare of God dryue out the feare of menne. And feare ye not leste ye shall peryshe before your day. All men must without choice ones come to death: neyther dooeth it force howe long a man hath lyued, but howe well he hath liued. And blissedly dooeth he departe hens, whosoeuer di∣eth for my names sake. And yet shall no suche thyng chaunce beefore the tyme prefixed vnto you by youre heauenlye father, that ye shoulde not lyue a whit the longer, though the feare of death should neuer so much vexe your mindes. Yea and that poyncte also will youre father prouyde for, that euerye one shall dye at hys due tyme. Although these thynges seme in apparence to bee dooen by chaunce and at all aduentures, yet shall there nothyng chaunce vnto you, but by the permission of youre father who careth for all thynges belongyng vnto you. What is of a lower pryce or a thyng more contemned then a selye sparow? May not a man bye fyue of them for two ferthinges? And yet doth not God leaue them vncared for, and not so muche as anye one, no not euen of the vileste vermine liuing, doeth perishe without the knowelage of the hea∣uenlye father. But as for you whome he hath specially pyeked and chosen a veray fewe in number out of all the reste to sette furth the glory of hys name, he dooeth so greatelye not leaue vncared for, that he hath euen the veraye hea∣tes of youre heades numbred out by tale. Agaynste the will of hym it were a wickednesse to striue, for nothing will he desyre, but what he shall know to be beste. Therefore all youre carefulnesse concernyng youre lyfe, caste ye full and whole vpon hym. He that taketh care for the selye sparowes will not leaue you vncared for, being so ferre better then all the sparowes in the worlde.

[ The texte.] I saye vnto you euery one, whosoeuer confesseth me before men, him shall the sonne of man knowlage also before the Aungells of God. And he that denieth me before men, shall bee denied before the Aungels of god. And whosoeuer speketh a worde againste the sonne of man, it shall be forgeuen him. But vnto him that blasphemeth the holy goste, it shal not bee forgeuen. When they bring you vnto the synagoges, and vnto the rulers and officers take ye no thought, how or what thing ye shall aunswer, or what ye shall speake. For the holy ghoste shall teache you in the same houre what ye ought to saie.

Wherefore bee not ye of the will for feare of any eiuilles or mischiefes

whiche men may bee hable to dooe vnto men, to fall from the profession of my name, as menne remembryng that by these affliccyons lastyng but a shorte while, lyeth the waye to euerlastyng blisse. For he shall not bee a partaker of the ioye, who shall refuse to bee partaker of the worldely reproche. Albeit this open shame here emong men, is the true glorye before god. For this one thing I say to you of assuraunce: whosoeuer shall professe my name here in presence of menne (whiche to dooe shall afore the worlde bee a thyng odyous and dete∣stable,) I also shall professe hym at what tyme the maiestie of the sonne of God shall bee opened and shewed foorthe in the face of the Aungels of God.

And contrariewise, whoso shall not acknowleage me here in the face of men, shall not bee knowen of me beefore the Aungels of God. I knowe that the infirmitie of this humayne bodye of myne shall bee a slaundre vnto ma∣nye: but a faulte, whiche eyther procedeth from a man beeyng deceyued by a wrong opinion, or elles cummeth of the weakenesse of nature, although it be greuous, shall neuerthelesse bee easilye forgeuen. Therefore that they call me Samaritane, a drinker of wyne, a frende of the publycanes, and Iesus the carpenters sonne, shall soone bee releassed yf they amende. For it is a re∣proche whereunto the weakenesse of thys bodye hathe opened an entreaunce and occasion. But whoso shall speake raylling woordes agaynste the holye ghoste, through whome God woorketh these miracles: because suche an one doothe of a sette and prepenced malice wetingly and willingly resiste agaynst the glory of god, he shall not fynde any pardone, neyther in this presēt world, nor in the worlde to come. Lyke as to the wicked Aungels there is no waye leaft to come agayne vnto repentaunce, (because they resisted God, not of any infirmitie or weakenesse, but of an obstinate malice) nor thesame wicked Aū∣gels shall euer emende ne haue anye hope of forgeuenesse: euen in thesame state shall men bee sure to bee, if they folowe the peruerse facion of the others. They see me a manne, taking reste and slepe, sufferyng houngre, yea and they shall see me dying, therefore it maye bee pardoned if they speake any thyng of me, that may truely bee sayde of a mortall man: But that beyng corrupted with enuie, they impute those actes to the spirite of Beelzebub, whiche they knowe to bee of the power of God, forasmuche as on the one syde they de∣fraude god of his glory, and on the other syde they put ouer vnto wieked spi∣rites, that cometh of god and is due to him: theyr so doyng verayly is of deiu∣lishe malice, whiche for thesame cause shall not obteine pardone of god, though beeyng most singularely enclyned to shewe mercye, because he can no skille to repente himselfe of his goodnesse. Many wayes than shall there be murmou∣ring agaynste youre preaching, For some persones shall persecute you eyther strayghing out of the right way of mere simplicitie, or els of a maliciousenesse miengled with theyr errour. Othersome agaynst the conscience of theyr owne harte, shall labour to destruie the veritie whiche they euidentlye see, & trie, and knowe, and that shal they doe for none other respect, but because it contrarieth theyr naughtie affeccions. By meanes of suche persones shall the eiuill spirite of Satan rebell against the good spirite of god, & by helpe of his garde y^e wic∣ked men, he shall inuade you with all kyndes of ingiens. And although ye bee ignorauntes of the worlde, poore men, and of lowe degree, there is no cause why for you to bee afearde of the vproare and sedicion of the world agaynste you. The spirite of god being graciouse & playne without any guile or deceite, is sufficient againste all aswell fraude as violence of this worlde. Therefore when ye shall bee haled into theyr synagogues, app••ached of greate crymes,

when ye shall bee drawen to come beefore magistrates or rewlers, and pryn∣ces, doe not ye as the common sorte of people doe, whan they are broughte a∣fore a iudge to theyr aunswere, who are muche carefull what aunswere they maye make, or what they maye speake, to ridde theyr handes of the mattyer. Thus muche shall bee geuen to the puplique autoritie of a magistrate, that be∣yng called ye shall appere. But cause is there none why ye shoulde bee afearde of the sighte of them, or why ye shoulde bee carefull, howe to defende youre selues with an oracion prepared for afore: The playne tale of the trueth, shall continually from tyme to tyme bee ready and freshe in memory vnto you. And suche kiende of wordes to speake, the holye ghoste shall sufficientelye minister vnto you as often as nede shall require: of suche sorte as your life is, such shal your wordes also bee. And nothing there is more pithie or effectuall, then the playne trueth without any coloures.

[ The texte.] ¶One of the coumpany sayde vnto hym: Maister, speake to my brother, that he deuyde the enheritaunce with me: And he said vnto him: Man, who made me a iudge or a deuider ouer you? And he sayde vnto them: take hede, and beware of couetousenesse. For no mans life standeth in the aboundaunce of the thinges which he possesseth. And he put furth a si∣militude vnto them saying: The grounde of a certain riche man brought furth plentifull fruictes, & be thought within himselfe saying: what shal I doe? because I haue no roume where to bestow my fruictes. And he ••ayde•••• •• his will I doe. I will destroy my barnes & builde greater, & therein wil I gather al my goddes that are growen vnto me: and I wil say to my soule: Soule thou hast much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••aied vp in store for manye yeres, take thyne ease, eate, drinke, and be mery. But god saied vnto him: Thou foole, this nighte will they fetche away thy soule again from thee. Than whose shal those thinges be which thou hast prouided? So is it with him that gathereth richesse to himself, & is not riche toward god.

And as the feare of iudgemente maketh many goe a crosse way from the sinceritie of professing the gospel: so doth the greedy desires of money corrupt a great mayny. To the ende therfore that the Lorde might vtterly plucke that affeccion also out of his disciples hertes, as a thyng basse or vyle, and vnmeete for suche as haue entred the charge of heauenly affayres, there was a matier euen there offered vnto him whereby the thing mighte bee doen. For where there was a very great multytude of people about Iesus, and yet no manne that had before that daye beene so bolde to aske so lowe and so basse a mattyer of him, one sayed vnto him: Maister, so it is that a brother of myne vsurpeth my parte of the enherytaunce whiche shoulde serue vs bothe, and fyndyng manye euasyons and stertyng holes, he delayeth from daye to daye to make particion therof: here leat the autoritie of thy woorde bee a succoure and ayde vnto me. Say vnto him, and bidde him, to deuide the enheritaunce with me. Than Iesus (as ye woulde saye) taking skorne and indignacion, so to bee in∣terrupted from his heauenly busynesse of preaching, vnto carnall and fylthye ca••es: & in the meane while all vnder one, geuing a lesson to his seruaūtes that suche an one as beareth the office of an Apostle, ought not to bee enwrapped in secular and filthie affayres of the world, answered: Thou felow, with what face doest thou in the myddes of my preaching interrupt me agaynste thy bro∣ther in diuiding youre enheritaunce? who hath made me a iudge betwene you two being at variaunce about a light tryflyng mattier and shortely to decaye? Or who hath geuen me vnto you to bee a diuider of enheritaunces? Hath not this worlde iudges enough to ende such lowe matiers of trauerse? I haue no suche commission, that this or that partie shall growe in richesse by cūming to

temporall goodes or landes by succession: but that all creatures may come to the enheritaunce of the lyfe immortall in heauen. And than turning to his dis∣ciples and to the rest that were there present, he begoon euen by the exaumple of the partye that had interrupted hym afore in hys sermon, to exhorte them from the earneste desyre of geatting worldely rychesse: not that richesse are of themselues eiuil, but because that to put the chiefe s••aygh of a mans life in thē, and for the desyre of them to be called away from tho thinges whiche doe ear∣nestly concerne euerlasting blisse, is a veary folye. Beware ye (sayeth Iesus) in any wise from all thinges belonging vnto auaryce. For oftentimes vnder the colour of necessitie of making prouisyon aforehande for ones liuyng, there co∣meth stealing and creping on a man, a vice neuer voide of pensifenesse and care, which being once suffered to enter into the minde, leadeth him out of the right way vnto all kinde of dishonestie. Yea and vneath may it possibly be eschewed, except that euen those very thinges whiche we doe possesse of our owne good right, be possessed of vs after an vnearnest sorte, and with suche contempt, that we can set them at naught when it is expedient so to doe. But suche people as doe in suche sorte put theyr trust and affiaunce in theyr richesse, that they sette a certain great staygh and assuraunce of mans felicitie in the same, doe veraye sore deceiue themselues. For aboūdaunce maketh not to felicitie, but rather to pensife carefulnesse: yea and on the other side to the contempte of the thynges, whiche onely and none other are to be sought, and acquired. For the necessitie of nature is appeaced and satisfied with a litle. And because he woulde more diepely empriente thesame in the hertes of the grosse people: the Lorde added therto a parable, by the whiche euerye manne myghte trye and examyne hys owne affeccion. There was (sayeth he) a certayne ryche felowe, whose lande had broughte exceding aboundaunce of fruictes and profytes, (as the fruite∣fulnesse of the yeres are not all lyke, but some yeres better then some.) The manne hauyng all the whyle no mynde at all of relieuyng the extreme pouer∣tie of the neighboures, but in sorte as though that that had growen, hadde bene brought furth to the behoofe of himselfe and no moe, toke care for laying it vp in store, and not for bestowyng anye parte thereof to the nedye in the waye of alines or liberalitie. For he sayd within himselfe in his hearte. What may I beste doe? The plenteouse aboundaunce of my corne and other fruic∣tes is ouer greate for all the barnes I haue, to laye vp in store the thynges that haue come of this yeres groweth. If he hadde taken charitie to bee of counsayle with him whan his herte thus boyled, charitie woulde haue sayde vnto hym, looke well aboute howe manye there bee that lacke the thynges which thou haste superfluitee of. Acknowelage and remember to whome thou arte beholdyng, and whome thou arte bounde to thanke for thys fortu∣nate luckienesse of this yere of thine: God hath of a speciall greate tendrenesse towardes thee, geuē thee a stocke of goodes, wherof thou maiest gather great increase and gayne of godlye weorkes. Make thou an exchaunge of Goodes trāsitory, for goodes that shall euermore kepe at a staygh: of yearthly goodes for heauenlye: of humayne goodes for dyuyne: so shall thy lyberalitie bee a gayne vnto thee. But because he had more mynde to take folye and vnbe∣thinking to bee of his counsayle, he did by the instinct and mocion thereof, say within himselfe: I will downe with myne olde barnes, and I will make larger, and in them will I lay vp in store, all the whole increase of thys yeres growyng and the reste of my goodes, that nothyng maye decaye of miscarrie.

And whan all thinges are fully stablyshed, and all thing sette in good safetie, thā taking thoughte ne care for nothing I wil say to myne own soule. Soule, great abound aunce it is that thou hast of thynges layed vp in store for thee, euen enoughe to serue thee for a greate maynye of yeres: take thyne ease, take thy fil of eating and drinking, and make as mery as thou canst. This dreame of most fortunate state long to endure, whan the sayde riche manne did thus caste in hys mynde, there came sodaynely vnto hym the voyce of God, saying: Thou foolish man, where thy veray life is vncertayn to thee, why dooeste thou hoorde vp thynges in store for manye yeres to come, seeing thou canste take no fruicion of the thinges whiche thou layest vp, any longer, then while thou arte in thys lyfe, whiche lyfe no man is assured of, so muche as for one dayes space. Why dooeste thou promise thyselfe many and many yeres? This same veraye nyghte shall they require to haue thy lyfe and soule awaye. And these thynges whiche thou haste prouided, whose shall they than bee? Certes they shall bee none of thyne. Thou must of force leue them vnto an heyre of thyne owne, or to an other if any will enter to take possession of them. But ghostlye rychesse, whiche by bestowyng thy richesse in almes thou myghtest haue got∣ten, would haue gone with thee whan thou haddest bene dead too: Thou hast nowe heard the exaumple and state of a man whiche hoordeth vp the richesse of this world to his owne vse, and is ryche to his owne behalfe onely, & is not ryche to wardes god: who would fayn be refreshed and cherished in his mem∣bres, by suche persones as haue more then will serue them, and muche more blisfull are they ryche, that after suche sorte dooe growe to pouertie.

[ The texte.] ¶And be spake vnto his disciples: Therfore I say vnto you. Take no thought for your life what ye shall eate: neyther for the bodye what ye shall put on. The lyfe is more then meate, and the body is more then rayment. Consider the rauens, for they neither sowe ne reape, which neyther haue storehouse nor b••tus, and god fedeth them. Howe muche more are ye better then fethered foules?

Whan the lorde had thus muche sayde to the multitude of al sortes & degrees, anon turning to his disciples, whome it was requisite not only to be fer from alauarice, but also to bee voyde of al carefulnesse of thys lyfe, to thentent that nothing might hinder or put backe theyr myndes from the charge of teaching the ghospell: for this cause (quod he) as I haue already afore thys time sayde vnto you, euen so repetyng the same agayn and agayn I shall warne you. Be ye nothing carefull concerning the lyfe of your bodies, as folkes in perplexitie and feare lest ye shoulde want meate & drinke, no nor yet about the incommo∣ditie of youre bodye, lest it shoulde wante clothes. For youre heauenly father, who hathe geuen you that is the better, will also geue you that is lesse of va∣lour. The soule & life is better then meate, although in the mean time without meat it endureth not in the tabernacle of the body, and the body is more preci∣ous then the garmente: dooe ye thynke, that your father being no lesse bounti∣full then riche will suffer, that seeing he hath of his bounteous liberalitie geuē lyfe, there shall lacke meate wherewith the life must be continued? or seing he hath geuen the body, he will so doe, that the body shall want wherwith to be couered? where the prouidence of god dooeth not slacke that thing in beastes whiche are brute and of no price, will it (trowe ye) bee slacke in you whome he hath specially chosen and deputed to so high a matier? Consider ye the rauēs & ••••owes: they neyther sowe corne, ne reape, they neyther haue storehouse ne

bar••••, and yet god dooeth prouyde also for them concernyng theyr foode, as one that neglecteth none of the thinges whiche he hath created. Howe muche more than will he beeyng youre father prouyde for you, whome he so muche more derely loueth aboue all crowes and rauens?

[ The texte.] ¶Which of you (with his taking thought) can adde to his stature one cubite? if ye than bee not hable to doe that thing whiche is leaste, why take ye thought for the remnaunte? Consider the lilies how they growe. They labour not, they sprune not: and yet I say vnto you: that Salomon in al his royaltie was not clothed like one of these. If god so cloth the grasse (which is to day in the fielde and tomorow is cast into the fornace) how much more will he cloth you, O ye of litle fayth? And aske not ye, what ye shall eate, or what ye shall drinke, neither clime ye vp on high: for al such thinges do the heathen people of the world se••e. For your father knoweth, that ye haue nede of such thinges. Wherfore seke ye after the kingdome of god, and all these thinges shallbee ministred vnto you.

And what, that to be troubleously vexed with the care of suche thinges is a poyncte not onelye of mistrustefulnesse towardes God, but also of folye? For it is a playne folye to bee vexed with carefulnesse of mynde whiche shall nothing auayle. No manne is hable with all hys carefulnesse to make hys lyfe one day longer then it shoulde bee. What that not so muche as the quantitie or stature of youre bodye, no nor the shape therof is in your hande? God geueth it suche shape as himselfe beste pleaseth, he geueth it suche sta∣ture as hys will is, and euen so dooethe he geue it lyfe too, as long as hym ly∣keth. And who of you (I praye you) is hable throughe hys carefulnesse to adde one cubite more of heithe vnto the stature of his bodye: or what man is hable by his carefull thoughte takyng, to make one whyte heare of his head blacke, or one blacke heare whyte? If than in thynges whiche are in mannyer of no weighte at all, your carefulnesse can nothyng auayle: to what purpose is it to bee carefull concernynge lyfe? Nowe to the entente ye maye not bee troubled with care about clothing of your body, considre me the lilies whiche growe in the fieldes without anye mannes laboure, howe they shoote vp to theyr full heithe and quantitie, no manne dressyng them, or bestowyng anye laboure aboute them. The lilies dooe neyther laboure, ne spynne, ne weaue: and yet the prouydence of youre father dooeth insomuche not suffer them to lacke clothyng, that the moste ryche kyng Salomon, whan he moste of all shewed the princely porte of hys regall estate, was not at anye suche tyme so well arayed as anye one, whiche soeuer it bee, of the fyelde lilyes, whiche shall last but for a shorte tyme. That if god dooe with so greate prouidence cloth a blade euen commonly growing euery where, and anone after to vade and pe∣rishe away, and suche a blade as this daye is freashe and greene in the fielde, and the nexte morowe whan it is dryed vp, is caste into the fournace mouthe to be burned, howe muche more will he not suffer you to bee vnclothed, o ye of litle feyth? For thys carefulnesse of youres commeth of none other thyng but onely of a mystrustfulnesse towardes youre father beeyng aswell moste mightyfull, as also moste lyberall, yea and also moste prouydente. If he feedethe, if he clotheth, if he gouernethe all thynges whiche he hathe created: than dooe ye also caste awaye all care concernyng thynges of the basseste sor••e, that is to wete, meate, drynke, and clothyng, lette neyther penurye of suche thynges as these kylle your heartes, nor more then suffysaunce sette you in pryde. Neyther as ydle folkes hange ye all together of the weather, obseruyng and markyng all lykelyhoodes and fore geassynges of tempestes,

weaxing pale for woe as often as the planetes shall threaten penurie or derth of Corne. For concerning suche thinges as these to make great inquisicion and serche afore a long tyme to come, is the condicyon of the Gentiles, who bee∣yng wholly wedded vnto the world, doe not knowe God. But ye that knowe howe gracious and bountyfull a father ye haue in heauen, why dooe ye with vayne carefulnesse tormente youre owne heartes? For youre father knoweth well enough, that ye haue nede of suche thynges as appertayne to the necessi∣tie of nouryshyng and coueryng the bodye. Neyther is he so harde, that he will suffer you to peryshe for defaulte of suche thynges, forasmuche as ye are earnestly occupied about his businesse. But rather leat youre chiefe and pryn∣cipall care bee, to sette foorth the kyngdome of god, whereof I haue specially chosen and appoyncted you to bee publishers, and also the mynysters. Espe∣cially afore al other thynges, seke ye the ryghteousnesse therof, not consistyng in Iudaicall ceremonyes, but in those thynges whiche I haue aforetaughte you: and with whole hearte and mynde bee ye earnest in thys thyng whiche is of all the moste greatest. The other smaller thynges, god himselfe will of hys owne accorde and mocyon geue vnto you euerye one of them, and will not suffer any thyng to be wanting.

[ The texte.] ¶Feare not litle flocke. for it is your fathers pleasure, to geue you the kingdome. Sell that ye haue, and geue almes. And prepare you bagges, whiche were not olde, euen a treasure that sayleth not in heauen. where no these cometh, neither mothe corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your hearte bee also.

Leat nothyng make you afearde, o litle litle flocke, ye are but afewe, ye are of meane and lowe degree, ignoraunt persons ye are of learning or world∣ly knowelage: ye are not wth anye richesse, with anye power, with any wea∣pon, or with any bendes of harnessed men, armed agynst thys worlde beeyng full of wiekednesse, and readye to aryse agaynste you with all kynde of engy∣ens. Yet is there no cause why ye shoulde bee afearde. So hath it lyked youre father, to reiecte men of power, men of learnyng, and the proude hearted, and vnto you being in worldely acceptacyon, persones moste abiecte, to geue hys kingdome, whiche throughe priuie richesse of the soule, and whiche by reason of celestiall fortresses, is vnpossyble to bee subdued. Wherefore beeyng spe∣cially chosen out to so highe a dignitie of the kingdome celestyall, contemne ye these basse and vile thinges: and being marked to goodes that shall euermore contynue in theyr perfeccyon, take ye no regarde of thynges that shall in shorte space decaye and come to naughte. That yf yearthlye possessyons dooe hynder you or pulle you backe from thinges beeyng so ferre better then they, fel ye that ye haue in your possession, and deale the money that is made thereof about for relieuing the nede of the poore. Richesse cannot be layed vp in more safe custodie, they can not be put to the banke of exchaunge with greatter and more assured encrease or intereste. Whoso geueth an almes, layeth out hys goodes to receiue intereste at goddes hande, who can not vse anye deceipte or fraude, and who (as he is both riche & bountiful) will for vile thinges repaye most precious, for earthly thinges, celestial, for thinges transitory, and shortly to bee taken awaye, thynges eternally for euer and euer to endure. Endeuour your selues therefore to bee grounded ryche menne in suche goodes as these: geat you treasour bagges, that dooe neuer weaxe olde, and laye vp treasour for your vse in heauen, whiche shall neuer fayle, and whiche shall bee safe for

you aswell from theues as from mothes. For this thing we see commonlye to chaunce, that in what place euery manne hath hys treasoure, there hath he his hearte also. For what thing a man dooeth earnestlye loue, the same can he not forgeat: lyke vnto a ryche manne that hath great goodes eyther layed vp at home in hys cofers, or dygged in the grounde, thoughe he bee abrode from home, yet he hath hys hearte at home, full of care and feare leste some priuye these shoulde robbe them, leste any other casuall chaunce may eyther bewray or perishe hys treasour. Agayne they that be in loue, haue theyr myndes euer∣more earnestly fixed and set on the thyng that they loue. But your herte muste euermore be in heauen. And in heauen will it euermore bee, if ye shall haue nothing on the earthe, whiche ye dooe eyther hyghly esteme, or loue, but shall haue all your treasour safely layed vp in heauen.

[ The texte.] ¶Let your I••ygnes bee girt about, and your lightes burning, and ye your selues like vnto men that awayte for theyr lorde, when he will returne from the wedding: that whā he cometh and knocketh, they may open vnto him immediatly. Happie are those seruaū∣tes whome the Lorde whan he cometh shall fynde wakyng. Veryly I say vnto you, that he shall girde himselfe about, and make them to sit downe to meate, and he walkyng by shall minyster vnto them. And if he come in the seconde watche, yea if he come in the third watche, and fynde them so, happie are those seruauntes. This vnderstande ye, that if the good man of the house knewe, at what houre the thefe woulde come, he woulde surelye watche, and not suffer his house to bee broken vp. Be ye therfore ready also: for the sonne of manne will come at an houre whan ye thynke not.

The tyme is shorte: with all earneste endeuour ye must attende, that ye hoorde vp in heauen a great heape of good weorkes. The daye approcheth e∣uen at hande, in whiche euerye one of you shall for the seede that you haue so∣wed of temporall thynges, reape an harueste euerlastyng. But because thys daie is to you vncertaine, ye muste continually frō time to time bee prepayred and readie against it come. And that shall ye bee, if ye shall not bee stopped ne staighed with any lettes or impedimentes of wordely thinges, if ye shall not haue leat slippe any occasion of doing good. Agaynst the cumming of thys day than, eat your loignes from time to time be wel girt about, leat light bur∣ning candels be in your handes, that ye may be like vnto wise and feithful ser∣uauntes who because they are vncertayne what houre their lorde wil returne frō the wedding, they stande continually in a redinesse watching with torche-light, to the ende that assone as he beyng come home agayne shall knocke, they may by and by open the doores vnto hym. Thys diligence of seruauantes shall not be displeasaunte to the lorde or maister, but happy may they bee yf the maister sodaynly cumminge shall see theym watching. For this I saye vnto you for a certayntie, that the maister shall geue agayne to theym an excedyng large rewarde for that pleasure and seruice, whiche neuerthelesse it was their bounden dutie to doe. For he agayne on hys partie shall girde hymselfe, and diligently watching what euery one requireth to haue, he shall as a serui∣toure geue it theym hys owne handes. Neyther dooeth it make any force in what parte of the night he cometh (for it was his pleasure to haue that thyng vncertayne) but at whatsoeuer watche of the night he cometh, whether in the secounde or in the thirde, or in the veray dead of the night: happy shall the ser∣uauntes bee, yf the lorde shal finde them in a due readinesse. There is therfore no slackenesse to be vsed in this life. But so muste men liue as though that day shoulde come euen at this present houre. For it shall sodainly and vnwares steale vpon the worlde: therfore muste men alwaies prouyde that it maye

not come vpon theim beyng vnready. For after that he shall be ous already come, it will by that time be ouerlate to amende the slepinesse afore paste. There is none so sluggyshe a mayster of an house, that woulde suffer to haue an hole dygged throughe into hys house by a nyghte these, if he knewe afore hande what houre the thefe woulde come. That if suche an one dooeth kepe continuall watche that he maye not bee spoyled of hys worldelye goodes, howe muche more is it youre parte to watche that ye maye not lese the blisse euerlastyng? As the nyghte thefe comethe stealyng at suche an houre whan the folkes of the house are moste harde and dead in slepe, and leaste lo∣king of all is for any body to vndermyne it: so shall the sonne of man sodayne∣ly come at suche an houre, whan ye shall leaste of all mystruste or thynke that he will come. Therefore in asmuche as that same tyme is to you vnknowen, and yet vndoubted it is that come he will, bee ye contynually readye, well ar∣med and furnyshed with good weorkes, and lyghte, as menne clene rydde and voyde from all lettes or encoumbraunces of thinges worldely.

[ The texte:] ¶Petur sayed vnto him: Maister tellest thou thys similitude vnto vs, or to all men: And the lorde sayed: Who is a feithfull and wise stewarde, whome hys lorde shall make rewler ouer his householde to geue them their duetie of meat in due season: happie to that seruaunte, whome his lorde whan he cometh shal finde so dooing. Of a trueth I say vnto you, that he wil make him rewler ouer al that he hath. But and if the seruaunt say in his herte, my lorde will differre his cumming (and shall beginne to smyte the seruauntes and maydens, and to ••ate and drinke, and bee dronken) the lorde of that seruaunte wil come to a day whan he thinketh not, and at an houre whan he is not ware, and will he••e him in pieces, and geue him his rewarde with the vnbeleuers.

Petur whan he had hearde these woordes, sayde vnto the Lorde: maister, whether is it thy pleasure that thys parable shall appertayne properlye, and directely to vs alone that are thy disciples, or els dooeth it indifferentlye con∣cerne and touche all people? Than the lorde in suche sorte attempereth hys aunswere, that he denyeth it not in some behalfe to perteyne to all menne that couet to atteygne euerlastyng saluacyon: but specially he signyfyeth it to con∣cerne suche, as haue the despensacion and disbursing of gods worde commit∣ted vnto them. And he added an other parable to that that wente afore, to the ende he woulde the better enkiendle his disciples perpetually to bee incūbent vpon theyr office, and he also propouned and set before them aswel a rewarde whan they had duely executed theyr office, as also a punishmente to any suche as were slacke in his office. A rare thing it is (saieth he) emong men to finde an experte and a feithfull stewarde to haue the dysposicyon of ones goodes: who whan hys maister is from home in a straunge countrey, will see well to hys householde, of whiche he is made ouerseer and deputye, not to vse hymselfe as a Lorde or a tyranne ouer it, but oute of the tresoures of hys Lorde, to bring furth & pay vnto euery body his due allowaunce as much as conueniēt is, and at suche times as is requisite. Blessed shall that seruaunt be whome hys lorde sodaynly returnyng home, shall finde attendaunt vpon his office. For hauing approued and tryed hys vpright trueth and diligence in the proporci∣ons assigned out vnto him, he wil make him rewler of all his goodes, and wil ••ouchesalue to vse hym in manyer as halfe a partener with hymselfe of all his goodes and substaunce. In the contrary parte, in case the said seruaunt be neither one of honestye to truste vnto, nor yet wyse and experte in hys offyce,

but taking a pryde through the absence of his lorde and by reason of the office of stewarde or deputie commytted vnto hym, shall saye in hys owne mynde: my maister doothe nowe sette a long daye of cummyng home agayne, and peraduenture he will neuer come agayne: in the meane tyme I will dooe all as myne owne fansie seruethe me: and thus shall beegynne to vse crueltie ouer his felowe seruauntes bothe men and weomen, not onely not feedyng them of his wheate that is theyr mayster aswell as hys, but also pumbleyng and beatyng them, and vsurpyng a certayne tyrannye ouer hys other felowes, he dooe for hys owne parte all the whyle eate, and drynke, and bankette, and vse to drinke himselfe dronke, wastfully consuming his maisters goodes in filthye sensuall pleasures and in tyottous excesse: what iudge ye that suche a stewarde shall haue for hys laboure? Forsouth hys lorde shall returne home agayne at suche a daye whan he was not looked for, and at suche an houre as he was not knowen of: and the seruaunte dooynge whatsoeuer hymselfe lus∣teth without feare or care, hys lorde shall separate and cutte of from hys hous∣holde, nor shal vouchsalue to suffer hym to bee one of hys house, but shall rekon hym in the noumber of the other vnfeithfull persones, assured to suffre condygne punyshemente, forasmuche as he woulde not bee myndefull of hys office. An euangelicall stewarde and dispenser of Goddes woorde, can not by any thyng better winne his lorde and maisters herte vnto hym, then whan his lorde is absent, to represent the gracious bountie of him, towardes the neigh∣boure, and not to thynke himselfe a lorde ouer the neighboure, but remembre that he is a felowe seruaunte with him.

[ The texte.] ¶The seruaunte that knewe his maisters will, and prepared not himselfe, neyther did according to his will, shall bee beaten with many stripes. But he that knewe not, and did commit thinges worthy of stripes, shal be beaten with fewe stripes. For vnto whome∣soeuer much is geuen, of hym much shalbe required. And to whome men haue committed muche, of him will they aske the more.

And certes the more perfeict knowlage that a man hath or shall haue of the veritie euangelicall, so muche the more grieuous shall hys condemnacion be, if he be negligente or slacke to folowe that he hath learned to be the righte way. For y^e Gentiles, to whome the trueth hath neither by meane of the law, ne by meane of the gospell bene shewed, shall be nothing so sore punished, as the Iewes, whome the law of Moses did instruct to some forwardnes in godly exercise. And emong these againe the Phariseis, & suche as are experte in all the poynctes of the lawe, shall be more sharpelye punished, then the symple ig∣norauntes. But moste grieuous punyshemente of all others shall they haue, whome the trueth, being wel knowen, whom so many miracles, & whome my liuely exaumple hath not moued to the zele and earneste exercyse of theyr due∣tie towarde God. I haue hydden nothyng from you. Whatsoeuer thyng my heauenly fathers will hath bene that ye shoulde knowe by meane of me, I haue opened and declared it vnto you. Beware ye therefore by the exaum∣ple afore goyng of the negligent seruaunt, that regardeth not hys maysters commaundemente. For suche a seruaunte, as hys maister hathe had and vsed in higher degree aboue the rest, as one to whome he hathe commytted the dis∣bursing and bestowing of hys goodes, to whome he hathe opened the priue∣ties of his counsayle, whome he hath put his truste in whan he went into fer parties from home: excepte he shall dooe that he is commaunded to dooe, and shall prepayre hymselfe to the executyng and dooyng of suche mattyers as

he knewe that hys maister woulde with all his hearte haue to bee dooen, he shall abye with manye a sore strype. But whoso shall bee of the noumber of the seruauntes, to whome the lorde hath not opened the will of hys hearte, yf suche an one shall dooe any offence woorthye punishmente, he shall drinke but with a fewe stripes. Than is there no cause, why the despensacion of Goddes woorde and of the ghospell beeyng commytted to youre charge, shoulde make you any thyng the more haulte in takyng vpon you, but rather the more care∣full to discharge youre duetie well. He dooeth more verayly take vpon hym a charge then an honoure, whoso taketh in hande any office or ministracion in the churche. It is a thyng of free gratuitee, that is so commytted vnto anye man, and it is committed vnto euerye man of veray purpose to bee broughte furth, and vsed to the common vtilitie of all the whole housholde indifferently. And lyke as maisters doe require a more streight and precise accoumpte at the handes of suche an one, whome they haue put in trust with moe thinges then an other, so at the handes of such an one to whome a larger gifte or ministra∣cion of knowlage and of autoritie hath bene geuen of God, there shall more be required, then at the handes of the others: and to whose credyte a larger and greater ministery hath bene deputed, the moe persones that he oughte to haue dooen good vnto, so muche the more shall there at hys hande bee required. The more learning that thou hast, with so muche the better will teache thou: the richer that thou arte, so muche the more gladly relieue thou the poore: the more that thy power is, so manye the moe persones leat thyne auctoritie draw and bryng vnto the ghospell. It is an other mannes that thou haste, and not thyne owne, and the true owners will is, to haue lyberally bestowed vpon others that he hath lent to thee.

[ The texte:] ¶I am come to sende fyer on the earth: and what is my desyre, but that it weare al∣ready kiendled? Notwithstanding I muste bee baptised with a baptisme: and howe am I payned tyll it bee ended? Suppose ye that I am come to sende peace on earth? I tell you nay but rather debate. For from hensfoorthe there shall bee fyue in one house deuided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall bee diuided against the sonne, and the sonne agaynst the father: The mother agaynst the daughter, and the daughter a∣gainst the mother. And the mother in law againste her daughter in lawe, and the daugh∣ter in lawe against the mother in lawe.

I thirst the saluation of man, and for the cause therof am I come into the worlde, and to the earnest desire of my hearte all tarying or delay semeth long. It is no washe doctryne, ne worldely, that I haue brought downe from hea∣uen. It is mere and pure fyer, whiche will surelye eyther clense and puryfye a man, or els burne hym. And I am euen of purpose come, that this same fy∣er maye bee kiendled on yearthe. For what other thyng els dooe I desyre or wante? Beeyng once kiendled it will ferre and wyde so daynelye take all the vniuersall worlde with the slaine. But thys fyer shall not leape ne sparcle foorth, onlesse thys flint stone of my body bee first strieken on the crosse. That same baptisme is yet behynde to come, whiche my father hathe precisely ap∣poyncted vnto me, to be dieped in myne own bloud, to the end I shal through my death suffer paynes and tormentes for the sinnes of all the whole worlde. At that houre and neuer afore, shall that same sparcle of euangelicall charitie, appere vp and shewe furth it selfe emong men, whan they shall see an innocent giltlesse man to haue willingly suffered a vyle & shamefull death for malefac∣toures, that haue transgressed. For this is a sparke of perfeict charitie & loue.

And from this baptisme doe I not onely not abhorre: but for the loue that I beare to the saluacion of mankinde, I am in a great agonye, to haue it accom∣plished with all expedicion. The nature of my body abhorreth the matier: but the entier loue of my soule greatelye longeth for it. But thys fyer being kien∣dled shall stiere vp great vproares in the worlde. For it shall bee a vehemente fyer and an heauenlye, aswell discussyng as also strieking foorthe all naturall affeccions of men. For doe ye beleue that I am come to bring suche peace in∣to the earthe, as thys worlde loueth, with whome it is than altogether qui∣etnesse and tranquilitie, whā the lustes and appetites of the herte bee all plea∣sed and satisfied, and whan the eiuill persones dooe agree with the eiuill? No verayly: I am not come to set suche concordes at one, but to sende debate and variaunce. People will not euery one obey the ghospell, and for the ghospels sake, all other thynges are to bee contemned. Whereupon it shall so come to passe, that in one house, in whiche there was a naughtie peace afore, there shal aryse an holesome variaunce. For fyue sortes of persons being of nature most nere ioyned together, shall for my cause bee at dyuisyon emong themselues, three agaynst two, and eft two agaynst three. For what is more nere coupled together by nature then the sonne to the father? And yet shall the father for the ghospels cause, fall out and and bee at distaunce with the sonne: and the sonne shall for the ghospels sake despise the father. In lyke mannier shall the mother bee at variaunce with the daughter, but the charytie of the ghospell shall bee of more force in the daughters mynde, then naturall affeccyon towardes hyr parentes. The mother in lawe also shall bee at playne defyaunce and warre agaynste hir owne daughter in lawe: but the loue of eternall saluacyon shall with the other in her mynde outweighe the respecte of alyaunce of the fleashe. For the bandes of the spirite dooe muche more streygne the hearte, then the bandes of nature dooe.

[ The texte.] ¶He sayde also to the people: whan ye see a cloude aryse out of the weke, straight waye ye saye: we shall haue a shoute, and so it is. And wh••n ye see the southe winde blowe, yt say? we shall haue heate, and it commeth to passe. Hypocrites, ye can skill of the facyon of the earth, and of the skie: but what is the cause that ye cannot skill of this time? yea and why iudge ye not of your selfes what is right? While thou goest with thine aduerserie to the rewler, as thou arte in the way, geue diligence thou mayeste bee deliuered from him, lest he bring thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the ••ayler, and the ••ayler cast thee into prieson. I tell thee, thou departest not thence tyll thou hast made good the vttermost mite.

After these woordes, Iesus turning to the people, sayde: Wherefore than dooe notye prepaire your hertes to the kingdome of God, whiche is euen ve∣ray nighe at hande? Doe ye not perceiue & fele it to approche, so many tokens of thinges as ye haue? Why are ye in this behalfe nothing good cōiecturers, seeing that in mattiers of so muche lesse weight and importaunce, ye haue so quicke a smelle to caste and geasse at thynges to come? For whan ye see any cloude arysing out of the west, ye streyghte waye tell afore hande that there is a shower toward, and the thing commeth to passe which ye doe so prophe∣cie. And agayne whan ye perceiue the winde to blowe from the south, ye tell aforehande that a greate heate will folowe, and youre geasse dooeth nothyng beguile you. Neuerthelesse litell it forceth, whether it rayne or rayne not: but it maketh veray great force, that through euangelical feith ye procure &

atteyne euerlasting saluacyon. O ye hypocrites after what sorte all youre dooynges are cloked and counterfaicte. And euen suche as youre holinesse is, euen suche lyke is youre wisedome also. In thynges perteynyng to thys pre∣sente lyfe ye haue a witte and a forecaste: but in thynges belongyng to im∣mortalitie ye haue no syghte at all. Ye marke the parte of the skye and of the yearth, that is nexte to you, and therof ye gather coniectures and likelihoodes of thynges to ensue. But howe happenethe, that of so manye tokens as haue bene shewed vnto you, ye doe not marke nor espie the time to be now at hande, whiche shall beyng to all creatures, eyther healthe if it bee duely accepted, or eternall damnacyon in case it bee neglected? Ye knowe what the Prophetes haue promised: ye heare so manye thynges, whiche are sayde and wroughte e∣mong you: ye see the worlde to bee chaunged to a newe state: and can ye not yet of all these thinges caste ne coniecture the tyme to bee at hande, that hath bene promised? This onely thyng was with all youre earnest endeuoures to bee attended vnto: neyther shoulde anye thing bee of so greate weyghte or re∣garde with you, for respecte or cause whereof ye shoulde susteyne anye losse or hindreaunce of good procedyng in the ghospell. If thou haue good or sub∣staunce, and the same bee a leatte vnto thee, selle it: If anye bodye haue dooen thee anye offence or dyspleasure, forgeue it rather then to take the vttermoste of thy righte at the lawe. That if the mattier come so ferre, that ye bee goyng to the iudges, euen as thou goeste thitherwarde on the waye, take thou suche wayes, as thou mayeste bee rydde of thyne aduersarie. It is better to ende the variaūce betwene you euen with condicions to fare wurse then equitie would thou shouldeste dooe, then to abyde the vncertayne ende of the iudgementes of the lawe, in whiche iudgementes the better cause dooeth not alwayes pre∣uaile and geatte the ouer hande. Otherwyse thou putteste thy selfe in hasarde and auenture, leste the iudge shall delyuer thee to the gayloure that taketh charge of persones condemned, and he to caste thee in priesone: whiche thyng if it so chaunce, this I tell thee for a mattier of certaynetye, thou shalte not get out from thence, vntyll thou paye that is demaunded, euen to the vttermoste ferthing. A busy mattier it is to trauerse the lawe: and whoso maketh hast to the marke or gole of euangelicall perfeccion, hath no vacaunt tyme to be long letted with suche coumberouse tariers. Firste and formoste weigh it well with thy selfe, howe muche more gaynes there is in forgeuing a wrong or displeasure doen vnto thee, then in extreme folowyng the suyte of the lawe for it: in geuing ouer or leattyng goe of a thyng, then in recoueryng it by the lawe. First thou arte sure to gayne frendeshippe of the other partie, which by entreyng trauerse of the lawe is in hasarde of lesing: secoundlye thou winneste the aduauntage of a great deale of tyme, whiche by folowing the suit thou muste nedes haue loste: besides all this thou gayneste tranquilitie and perfect quiete of mynde, which quiet the troubleouse suites of the lawe are wont to take away from a man: & finally thou do∣este escape w••••tsoeuer mishappes or harmes the vnluckie ende of trauersyng the lawe may be hable to cause vnto thee.

Notes

• The veraye beares of your heade are all nū∣bred.
• Whosoeuer confesseth me before men. &c.
• Unto him that blas∣phemeth y^e holye goste, it shall not be forgeuē.
• Take ye ne thought how or what ye shall aun∣swere.
• Take hede & beware of coue∣••ousnesse.
• No mans life stādeth in y^e aboun∣daunce of y^e thinges that he hath.
• Soule▪ &c take thine ca••e, eate & drinke and be mery.
• Considre the rauens for thei ••••i¦ther sowe nor reape. &c.
• Whiche of you. &c. can adde to his stature one cubite▪
• Considre y^e l••lies howe they grow. &c.
• Seke ye af∣ter y^e kyng∣dom of god. &c.
• For it is your fa∣thers plea∣sure to geue you y^e king∣dome.
• Sel that ye haue and geue almes.
• where your treasour is there will your hearte be also.
• Leate you lo••gnes bee girt about.
• And yt he come in the seconde watche. &c.
• Be ye ther∣fore readye also, for the sonne of man will come. &c:
• Who is a seithful ste∣warde, whome his lorde shal make rew∣ler ouer his housholde:
• But if the seruaūt saie in his hert: my Lorde will differ his cum∣ming.
• The Lorde of that ser∣uaunte wil come.
• For vnto whome soe∣uer muche is geuen of him shalbee muche re∣quired. &c.
• But I must be baptised with a bap∣tisme. &c.
• The father shall bee di∣uided a∣gainst the ••onne.
• Whan ye see a cloude arise out of the west. &c.
• But how happeneth it y^• ye can not skill of this time?
• Whan y^e goeste with thine ad∣uersarie to y^e reweler.
• Thou shalte not departe thence. &c.